Greek Man Recounts Horror of Indonesian Tsunami

The tsunami hit the islands of Java and Sumatra. Photo by D.T. Handoko

Marinos Kokotovis, a Greek national who has lived in Indonesia for more than 30 years, was a firsthand witness of the most recent catastrophic tsunami which hit Indonesia on Saturday evening local time.

Speaking with Greece’s Skai TV, Kokotovis said that residents received absolutely no warning of a possible tsunami because some of the alarm sensors used to detect earthquakes and landslides which may lead to tsunamis, did not function. The sensors had been placed in different areas along the sea floor.

Describing the situation, Kokotovis said that the destruction is massive, with more than 30 hotels completely ruined and hundreds of people now reported as dead or missing.

Following the volcanic eruption of Anak Krakatau, a huge tidal wave struck the islands of Java and Sumatra in Indonesia at about 21:30 local time (14:30 GMT).

The local authorities have already confirmed 373 fatalities from the tsunami, with more than one thousand people being injured.

Fifty-seven people are still missing, with many people seen floating out to sea after the wave subsided. An extensive search is now under way in hopes of locating these individuals.

Krakatau is a volcanic island situated in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in the Indonesian province of Lampung. It is one of the most active volcanic areas in the world.

The original volcano called Krakatoa, which was very close to Anak Krakatoa, caused the largest volcanic explosion the world has ever seen back in August of 1883, and only remnants of the original mountain remain. Anak Krakatoa means “Child of Krakatoa”.